The territory of Qatar has been occupied since ancient times. The country was mentioned by ancient Roman historian Pliny Senior (1 century) . Archeological finds in region show, that in 4-2 millenia B.C. these earths were under the influence kingdoms Dilmun which centre was on Bahrain, and Magan (presumably around modern Oman). Inhabitants attended to cultivation of grain crops, melt of copper and an intensive trading exchange with Sumer, Akkad, Babylonia and Assyria. In 6 centuries B.C. of Qatar and neighbouring territories the Persian state has taken possession, the next centuries over them alternately established the domination the states possessing modern Iraq and Iran. In 4 centuries small princedoms of Persian gulf have got to dependence from sasanidskogo Iran. In 7 centuries in area Islam has extended, and Qatar was a part Arabian halifata. As a result of disintegration halifata in the end of 10 centuries has arisen ismailitskoe the state karmatov with capital on Bahrain, but already in 11 centuries it has fallen. Qatar became object of fierce struggle between Baghdad halifatom and Oman, the region has been hardly broken. In 13 centuries Qatar was torn apart by interstine wars of the Arabian governors, and in 1320 has been obedient sheikh Ormuza. In 1470 it again has found actual independence, but should pay a small tribute of Ottoman empire.
In 1510 Qatar Portugueses have taken possession, however in 1536 they have been expelled by Turkish fleet. With struggle for the power in region tried to interfere and other European powers - England and Holland. In 1623 English-Persian forces have forced Portugal to leave Ormuz, and then and all territories in Persian gulf. In 17 and 18 centuries the area was under the power of the Oman which has expelled Persians.
In the end of 18 - the beginning of 19 centuries the power over Qatar has passed to tribes which the dynasty of the Al-Caliph operated. Its sheikhs managed to win Bahrain. Further they had to concede the control over Qatar to sort Al-Tani, but they did not keep intention to return to peninsula. In turn, Al-Tani have accepted the new radical version of Islam - a vahhabism.
Distribution of a vahhabism to Arabia has served as an occasion to new interference from the Great Britain and Ottoman empire. To 1818-1820 Great Britain it was possible to confirm the presence at region, and in 1868, having used the conflict between Bahrain and Qatar, the British authorities have dictated to Qatar the unequal agreement. However in 1871 country it has been seized by Ottoman empire and has got under the power of the Turkish governor.
Sheikh Kasem from sort Al-Tani (with 1878) has managed to unite at enmity tribes and to carry out rather independent to the policy. In the beginning of 20 centuries katartsam it was possible to reflect threat from the party vahhabitskogo nedzha only thanks to the British support. In July of 1913 Great Britain it was possible to achieve, at last, from Ottoman empire of the consent to neutralisation of Qatar, and in the First World War, on November, 3rd 1916 it has compelled the governor of Qatar to sign the agreement for an establishment of the British protectorate. In 1934 agreement has been updated.
The Great Britain carried out the military control over Qatar, knew external relations and benefited from pearls and sponge extraction. In 1940 the oil recovery interrupted during the Second World War has begun. About 1947 oil recovery conducted "Petroleum development kompani of Qatar", and with 1952 - affiliated "Qatar petroleum kompani". In 1960 English company "the Shell - Kata", having long-term concession in territorial waters of Qatar, has begun working out of a shelf petroleum deposit. In 1930 tribes of internal areas of Qatar have risen. In 1950-1960 in region anticolonial moods began to accrue. In Qatar with 1964 the underground Organization of national struggle, and in the early seventies - the Popular front of clearing of Oman and the Arabian gulf operated. Aspiring to change methods of the influence, the Great Britain has gone in 1961 on transfer of third of area of concession "Qatar petroleum" to the governor of the country - to sheikh Ahmed Al Tani (1960-1971). In 1968 British power have induced governors of Bahrain, Qatar and the future United Arab Emirates to agree about creation of federation of princedoms, however negotiations between them in 1968-1969 have revealed deep disagreements between Qatar and Abu-Dhabi. On September, 1st 1971 Qatar has proclaimed the independence. The first emir (1971-1972) became sheikh Ahmed.
In February 1972 as a result of bloodless revolution the power was seized by the cousin of the monarch - the Caliph ben Hamad Al Tani (1972-1995). In 1974 for operation of oil and gas deposits and the control over activity of the foreign firms taken in the oil and gas extraction and petrogas-processing industry, the state General petroleum corporation has been created. In 1975 government of Qatar has redeemed the capital of concessioners. With 1974 in the country oil refining is conducted.
In internal policy all power in the state has concentrated in hands of the emir and a ruling dynasty. It is foreign policy Qatar was guided, first of all, by cooperation with the region states. In the irano-Iraq war 1980-1988 it supported Iraq, and during war in Persian gulf in 1990-1991 (after grab by Iraq of Kuwait) accepted active sharing in a coalition headed by the USA. Plays an active role in expansion of the arabo-Israeli economic ties, organizuja meetings within the limits of the arabo-Israeli peace process and exchanging with Israel small trading missions.
In June 1995, as a result of the next bloodless revolution, the emir to the Caliph his son Hamad Al Tani has replaced. The new monarch as a whole has saved former system of board, but has gone on some measures on updating. It has expanded structure of the Advisory council and has created the commission on working out of the constant constitution. In 1996 the post of the prime minister has been founded, in March 1999 and April 2003 a national election in the Central municipal council with the consultative functions which activity is directed on management perfection at municipal level is held. To 2001 Qatar has settled demarcation disputes with Bahrain about marine border and an accessory of island Havar (the International court in the Hague recognised its accessory to Bahrain) and with Saudi Arabia.
On April, 29th 2003 in Qatar the referendum under the project of the constant constitution of the country has been held. 96,6 % of Qatar voters have voted for the new constitution.
